Nonprofit organization the EZ Kids Creativity Shell is launching an online marketplace (www.ezkids.com) for students to sell handmade, used and up-cycled goods.

The EZ Kids Creativity Shell is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to find creative ways to educate and inspire the next generation of makers! When the organization was formed in 2015, their initial goal was to return home economics to the education system. After launching sewing/textile arts classes in local schools and public libraries however, they were faced with a larger crisis than initially imagined. One of the biggest challenges they encountered (and still do today) is the lack of practical skills among the students they teach. Students have difficulty utilizing fine motor skills to complete tasks such as tying knots, cutting fabrics and threading needles. Furthermore, the lack in their ability to use fine motor skills adds to extreme frustration, the inability to cope and poor problem solving / decision-making skills.

This is a new generation of children. Many of the things they were born into—fast Internet, cell phones, computers, tablets, Amazon Prime—were things that we’ve adopted to. Many of us adults have difficulty going without our modern technologies, but imagine what it’s like for the students who do not know anything else. Because of these combined factors, the EZ Kids Creativity Shell was split into two equal entities the Economics Zone for Kids (EZ Kids) and the Creativity Shell.

The Creativity Shell teaches classes such as sewing/textile arts, cooking, woodworking, STEAM sewing and other trades classes to children in schools, public libraries and shelters that rescue children from homelessness and human trafficking. The Economics Zone for kids (EZ Kids) teaches children about business, finance, entrepreneurship and economics.

In what is being dubbed as a marriage between Etsy and Goodwill, student sellers on the EZ Kids Creativity Marketplace will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their goods to support the free and low-cost classes taught by the Creativity Shell.

On the EZ Kids Marketplace, you will find stores owned by K-12 Makers, Mommy/Daddy & Me Shops, Scout Groups, 4-H Groups, Special Education Groups and more. Most of the items in this marketplace are handmade, but there will also be stores that contain gently used goods, up-cycled goods and other creative ideas.

The EZ Kids Creativity Shell hopes to have at least 1000 unique stores on EZKids.com by September 1, 2018. As the EZ Kids Marketplace continues to grow across the country, the organization hopes to add an additional 5,000 unique stores by the end of 2018. Please visit www.ezkids.com to create a store today!